The Election Denier’s Dilemma: Fact and Fiction in the Battle for Democracy

The outcome of the 2026 midterms is a pressing concern for democracy, but it’s not as dire as some pundits suggest. The prospect of election deniers running elections in key swing states is unsettling, especially given the historical context of post-2020 attempts to undermine trust in American electoral processes.

Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for governor in Wisconsin, has promoted conspiracy theories and endorsed investigations into his state’s elections. His views on the 2020 presidential election have raised concerns about his ability to oversee Wisconsin’s electoral process, especially given the state’s divided voter demographics.

Experts caution against alarmism, pointing out that multiple checks on power exist within state election laws. Rebecca Green notes that “there are numerous reasons why one should not be concerned” about election deniers running elections. The judiciary has consistently demonstrated its ability to stop election malfeasance, and reforms like the 2022 update to the Electoral Count Act have added crucial safeguards against interference.

Even in cases where a single partisan holds significant sway over election administration, it doesn’t necessarily equate to electoral sabotage. Rick Hasen warns against “both complacency and alarmism” when assessing the risks posed by election deniers. While some Republicans have used their offices to undermine trust in elections or manipulate voting processes, experts argue that these tactics are exceptionally difficult to execute – especially given the robust safeguards built into state laws.

The concept of adversarial election administration is a significant obstacle to electoral interference. This built-in redundancy allows observers and courts to quickly identify and rectify any irregularities that may arise during vote counting.

While there’s still a remote risk that an election denier could manipulate an extremely close election outcome, experts emphasize that even if this were to happen, the damage would be limited by state laws in battleground states empowering courts to issue writs of mandamus requiring officials to certify legitimate results.

Maintaining perspective is essential when considering the prospect of election deniers running elections. The safeguards built into our electoral system are robust and effective – even in cases where partisan zealots try to undermine them. It’s time for Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike to recognize the importance of defending these checks on power and working together to preserve the integrity of American democracy.

The 2028 election may be more secure than anticipated, but complacency is not warranted. We need to continue monitoring potential vulnerabilities in our electoral system and pushing for further reforms to ensure that even the most determined election deniers can’t manipulate the outcome. The stakes are too high to let vigilance lapse – we must remain vigilant guardians of democracy, ever watchful for threats from within as well as without.

A stolen election remains a remote possibility, but one thing’s clear: our electoral system has shown itself to be surprisingly resilient in the face of partisan attempts to subvert it. As we move forward into the 2028 cycle, it’s crucial that we prioritize transparency and accountability – not just in elections themselves, but also in the broader struggle for democratic values. The integrity of our democracy depends on it.